Founder interview: Miki from Studio K
Meet Miki, the founder of Studio K
I’m Miki, the founder and creative director of Studio K. I live in Ubud, Bali with my husband and daughters, where I draw daily inspiration from motherhood, nature, ritual, and the quiet rhythms of island life.
ABOUT THE BRAND, MIKI & BALI
How would you describe the essence of Studio K to someone who’s never experienced it?
Studio K is an exploration of creativity through the body. It’s about designing pieces that invite embodiment — clothing that supports movement, presence, and self-expression rather than performance. At its core, Studio K is quietly empowering: minimal yet expressive, sensual without excess, and intentional in how it’s made and worn. It exists at the intersection of creativity, comfort, and confidence — where what you wear becomes a tool for feeling more connected to yourself.
What do you hope people feel when they wear Studio K?
I hope they feel at ease in themselves. Held, comfortable, and empowered. Like they don’t need to adjust or perform — they can simply be present in their body, whether they’re moving, resting, or moving through their day.
What has been the most meaningful lesson on your journey as a founder?
That slow doesn’t mean weak. Building intentionally — taking time to refine, and sometimes pause — has taught me that clarity comes from patience. I onlly create when I feel inspired, and so trusting that the process has its own timeline has been one of the most grounding lessons.
What feelings or energies influence your design process?
All of the feelings!I create from where I am at, I move with what moves inside of me. For some reason I am inspired by the chaos of this human experience. I like working with contrast, at the crossroads where softness and flow meets structure and power.
Is there a message you hope Studio K can spread through its community?
That we all need to become conscious of our imprint. That choosing fewer, better things is an act of self-respect — for yourself, for the people who make them, and for the environment. Studio K isn’t about having more, but about choosing with care. The fashion industry is dirty, but fashion is art and there is an art to dressing.
What do you think more people should know about Bali?
The depth of the culture. Bali is not a destination — it’s a rhythm. Beneath the surface, there’s a deep reverence for balance, ceremony, and collective responsibility. Life here is shaped by unseen systems of care, ritual, and connection to nature that quietly guide daily life. Sadly many western cultures have lost this connection in the constant strive for more.
How has Bali shaped your lifestyle or creative process?
Living in Bali has softened my pace and sharpened my awareness. It’s taught me to work in cycles rather than straight lines — to honour rest as much as productivity. Creativity here feels more intuitive, less forced, and deeply connected to nature and community.
What does “slow living” mean to you in a world that often feels fast?
Slow living is choosing presence in small moments — how I move, how I respond to my children, how I get dressed, how I eat, how I work. It’s not perfection, but awareness. It’s about moving at a pace that allows me to isten to my body and to what’s actually needed, rather than what’s expected. Slow living is the art of responding to life, instead of reacting to it.
Intention is a core value at Sama – what does the word intention mean to you?
Intention is the quiet decision behind every action. It’s asking why before how. For me, intention is about aligning values with choices — in design, in business, and in daily life — so what I create feels honest, not reactive.
Quick Q’s
Sunrise or sunset?
Both hehe. If I have to choose - I’d go with sunset.
A daily non-negotiable?
Dancing, even if it’s just for 5 minutes. It anchors me in my body. As a mother of two little girls I don’t have space to myself in the mornings.. But I can always dance, and they usually join in.
A book, place, or person currently inspiring you?
All Fours by Miranda July. It’s a powerful novel about womanhood, sexuality and aging. I wish every in their mid-life years would read it.
Favorite movement practice?
Dance, always dance.